Private tour from Cannes?

[Looking for Sunshine]

We've never been to Cannes and we're looking forward to a great day in the French Riviera. I'm trying to avoid the touristy Monte Carlo/Monaco experience and would prefer to visit some lovely historic hilltowns and have a great lunch. What would you do with your day and do you have a tour operator or guide you would recommend?

[Mike Andrews]

Try Sylvie di Cristo of Azur Guides at sylvie.di.cristo@wanadoo.fr she is superb.

[aljazz]

We've had an exceptional day with Hans of RCL Tours - can highly recommend him. Try info@***** :)

[Godskidisme]

We used Sylvie DiCristo in August 2005 and were throughly pleased. You can't go wrong with her. She is very nice, cheerful and upbeat and informative about the region. Have a wonderful trip

[Blssflsea]

We used Sylvie as well this last October. She was the best of all the private tours we had booked. I wouldn't hesitate booking her next time I'm in that area.

[dbh62ark]

We used Dream Tours last year (http://www.dream-tours.com/layout.php?page=106&lang=us), and I highly recommend that company for many reasons. We've traveled fairly extensively in Europe, and they're as good as it gets. There were some problems with Sylvie last year--you can also search the boards for info on that--but it seems they have been resolved. I do caution you to be careful on the deposit issues with European guides, and there have been recent threads on that subject.

 

For itinerary, I would advise St. Paul de Vence as the main destination or the longest stop on your tour. You can do a search on these boards and can see that it gets rave reviews from passengers. One of the ladies in my private tour group said that if she never went anywhere else, she would die happy! Eze is also very nice, and the coastal roads in the area offer fabulous scenery as you travel from one town to another. Nice is nice if you want to spend a couple of hours there. But I like Villefranche better than Nice. There are so many hilltop villages that you can add, and I've spent some time there on a ground trip if you have specific questions.

 

Have a great trip,

Donna

[lv2cruz]

dbh6zark-

What was it about St. Paul de Vence that you enjoyed so much? Did you do the tour that is offered through them that is "For Cruise pasengers"? I believe it does that as well as Nice, Monaco and the perfume factory?

I am looking for as much info. as possible to figure out if this is what i want to do.

I have been to Monaco before and i dont want to spend the entire day there. My husband has never been, and i have a feeling he would just like to spend the day there but i am looking for a little more exitment!

[lv2cruz]

dbh6zark-

What was it about St. Paul de Vence that you enjoyed so much? Did you do the tour that is offered through them that is "For Cruise pasengers"? I believe it does that as well as Nice, Monaco and the perfume factory?

I am looking for as much info. as possible to figure out if this is what i want to do.

I have been to Monaco before and i dont want to spend the entire day there. My husband has never been, and i have a feeling he would just like to spend the day there but i am looking for a little more exitment!

[dbh62ark]

No, we just planned our own itinerary. I think the private guides have suggested itineraries to give you an idea of what can be done in a day, but the beauty of a private tour is that you can customize to your wishes. Honestly, I was not really excited about going to Cannes because I'd always heard that there wasn't anything to see there other than the film festival area and the beach (we don't go to Europe to swim!), but I was glad that Cannes was included on our itinerary (one of the members of our group was dying to go there) because we drove some coastal roads with fabulous Riviera scenery to and from Cannes. We went to Cannes, stopped several times at panoramic overviews for photos, Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and a short stop in Nice. The perfume factory is a mixed bag. I like that kind of thing and found it interesting, but the sights in the area are so spectacular that it's hard to justify taking time to tour the factory.

 

I liked just walking around St. Paul de Vence to see the beautiful architecture and the lovely town. The cemetary is interesting, and the views are very nice. There are some interesting shops and a church that you can go into. There are many art galleries. Here's some links to photos of St. Paul de Vence that will give you an idea of the scenery.

 

 

http://www.smackfu.com/photos/france/stpaul/

 

I love the smaller villages in France and Italy, and this is one of my favorites. I like Monte Carlo--I think maybe 3 or 4 hours there is plenty unless you like to gamble because it is so small--but getting out to see some of the beautiful villages is even better.

 

Have a great trip,

Donna

[cruisingmimi]

I second Donna's recommendations! Our tour guide (we used Michel of Revelations) did not recommend going to Cannes because of the distance involved and I am so glad we followed his advice. While it would have been nice to say we went there, the extra miles involved would have made for an extremely long day. We were touring for 9 hours as it was and not visiting Cannes.

 

St. Paul deVence was so wonderful, you need to go there. It is so quaint, and there are so many little artsy shops you can go in and out of. There are a lot of shops displaying paintings, etc. but you will find other things as well. Nice outdoor patio restaurants where you can sit and just people watch or enjoy the view w/ a cup of coffee. We did walk back to the cemetery and saw Chagall's grave. Quite a view there also, although we didn't have much time to browse because we had to get back to our tour van. We took a couple of pictures.

 

We skipped the perfume factory because no one seemed interested.

 

Eze is also lovely but more of a scenic stop. You can walk to the top (lots of steps to climb and very hilly) and see the view. A few shops here but not like St. Paul de Vence.

 

Nice was really a nice stop for everyone. We visited the Farmer's Market and there were so many vendors w/ neat displays, from fresh flowers and arrangements, all kinds of vegetables and fruits, restaurants, craft shops (several of the ladies bought lovely tablecloths). We could have spent a lot more time there! Viewing the promenade, boardwalk and beach was nice also. It stretches about 5 miles in length.

 

Monte Carlo - now this was my favorite stop. My husband and I had been there before so really didn't care to see it again. I was so glad we had a 2nd visit. It is so lovely there. The views of the harbor and the ships, beautiful gardens, the casino and hotels. Everything is so immaculate. Of course, all the Mercedes and Ferrari's you will see! Monaco has the cathedral you can visit and see Prince Rainier and Princess Grace's graves in the floor of the cathedral. There are all sorts of nice little shops in the back of the cathedral where you can browse, nice food vendors and restaurants. We did not tour the Palace because we didn't have time. My husband and I did that before. You can see the changing of the guard if you are there at the right time. Someone said the aquarium was very nice to see. There is a website that has lots of info on it. I can look it up if you are interested. I was really glad we re-visited Monaco and Monte Carlo.

 

Villefranche was my favorite place. So pretty and quaint. Lots to see here. We visited a lovely Villa w/ spectacular gardens and views also. Well worth the visit. It is in Cap de Ferrat which is not far from Villefranche.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck. If you need any more info, I will be happy to give you what I have. Wish I was going with you! LOL

 

Mary

[GreenValleyDogWalker]

I second Donna's recommendations! Our tour guide (we used Michel of Revelations) did not recommend going to Cannes because of the distance involved and I am so glad we followed his advice. While it would have been nice to say we went there, the extra miles involved would have made for an extremely long day. We were touring for 9 hours as it was and not visiting Cannes.

 

St. Paul deVence was so wonderful, you need to go there. It is so quaint, and there are so many little artsy shops you can go in and out of. There are a lot of shops displaying paintings, etc. but you will find other things as well. Nice outdoor patio restaurants where you can sit and just people watch or enjoy the view w/ a cup of coffee. We did walk back to the cemetery and saw Chagall's grave. Quite a view there also, although we didn't have much time to browse because we had to get back to our tour van. We took a couple of pictures.

 

We skipped the perfume factory because no one seemed interested.

 

Eze is also lovely but more of a scenic stop. You can walk to the top (lots of steps to climb and very hilly) and see the view. A few shops here but not like St. Paul de Vence.

 

Nice was really a nice stop for everyone. We visited the Farmer's Market and there were so many vendors w/ neat displays, from fresh flowers and arrangements, all kinds of vegetables and fruits, restaurants, craft shops (several of the ladies bought lovely tablecloths). We could have spent a lot more time there! Viewing the promenade, boardwalk and beach was nice also. It stretches about 5 miles in length.

 

Monte Carlo - now this was my favorite stop. My husband and I had been there before so really didn't care to see it again. I was so glad we had a 2nd visit. It is so lovely there. The views of the harbor and the ships, beautiful gardens, the casino and hotels. Everything is so immaculate. Of course, all the Mercedes and Ferrari's you will see! Monaco has the cathedral you can visit and see Prince Rainier and Princess Grace's graves in the floor of the cathedral. There are all sorts of nice little shops in the back of the cathedral where you can browse, nice food vendors and restaurants. We did not tour the Palace because we didn't have time. My husband and I did that before. You can see the changing of the guard if you are there at the right time. Someone said the aquarium was very nice to see. There is a website that has lots of info on it. I can look it up if you are interested. I was really glad we re-visited Monaco and Monte Carlo.

 

Villefranche was my favorite place. So pretty and quaint. Lots to see here. We visited a lovely Villa w/ spectacular gardens and views also. Well worth the visit. It is in Cap de Ferrat which is not far from Villefranche.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck. If you need any more info, I will be happy to give you what I have. Wish I was going with you! LOL

 

Mary

 

Hi Mary -

 

We are booked on Carnival Liberty for Med Trip next October - just starting to research the various ports. Have no idea what to do the day the ship is at Cannes - DH and I are not really into "heavy duty sightseeing" - but want to see the special highlights - and do a little wandering on our own and some shopping - have never been to France before - not really looking for a "guided" tour (I don't think !! :) ) certainly don't want to be on the Cruise Ship "bus trip" - can't imagine an 8 or 9 hour trip - but is that what we should anticipate ???

 

Would really appreciate some help !!

 

 

Based on your descriptions I think we might want to hire a driver to take us to St. Paul deVence, Nice, to Monte Carlo (sounds like a neat place to see) - then Ville France - (skipping Eze and the purfume factory) is that "doable"???

[lv2cruz]

Thank you both for spending the time to give me such detailed information dbh62ark and cruisingmimi!!!

It definatly sounds like i will go with a tour company for the day at this port.

So much to see and do and i am the type that wants to get up and go till i drop!!! On the other hand my husband likes the slow and easy road so to find the balance takes a little time and prep to satisfy us both.

I agree private tours seem to be the way to go. I have one for the Amalfi Coast and one for Taoromina so far.Thanks again.